PLANS to alter a Bradford pub building, creating a new family home, have been refused by a planning panel.

Members of the Bradford District Planning panel discussed an application to transform the Old Vic on Park Lane at a meeting on Wednesday.

The application would add extensions, a boundary wall, dormer windows and new Juliette balconies.

At the meeting members heard that some of the work, including the removal of "distinctive" chimneys on the building, had already taken place.

Planning officer Amin Ibrar said: "We have no issue with the use of the building as residential. The issue is that the external changes planned are unsympathetic."

Applicant Balaal Hussain Khan told members he had lived near the site all his life, and wanted to turn the empty pub into his family home.

Councillor Mohammed Amran (Lab, Heaton) said: "There are so many pubs in the area that are closed. The applicant is bringing this building back into use."

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Mr Ibrar said: "Applications need to comply with our planning policies."

Councillor Paul Godwin (Lab, Keighley West) said: "One role of a planning committee is to ensure the preservation of the heritage of Bradford."

Chair Councillor Shabir Hussain (Lab, Manningham) said: "I think it looks good. It is all good saying we need to preserve things, but preserve them for what? This person want's to turn it into a home."

The plans were refused with four Councillors voting against the plans, two voting in favour of them and one abstaining.